Fosi AudioBox X2 Phono Preamp, Mini Stereo Audio Hi-Fi Preamplifier with Gain Gear, Pre-Amplifier for MM Turntable Phonograph and Record Player, with DC 12V Power Supply

Let's jump right to the most glaring bit of misinformation floating around the reviews here. Several reviewers here are stating this pre-amp is for moving magnet type phono cartridges only. NOW I can't speak for ALL "moving coil" carts, but my, Denon DL 103, moving coil, has no apparent (audible) issues with this amp. None. Sounds perfect. I've been transferring my Vinyl to bits and my disk recorder (records like a tape deck but to a CD) was getting really low levels. I could correct this after the fact with SW with no quality issues, but it was awkward. This amp was just the boost I needed. (no gain control on the recorder) SO the selectable output level switch is nice. I'm ok at the lowest, better at the middle, and just a showing a flicker of red on the highest. This was first time I'd ever seen level-leds show any red. Bottom line, Great little amp for the $. Works with any modern, quality cartridge/turntable.You'll notice the instructions don't say jack about "only moving magnet", but the input is labeled "MM". perhaps that's where the confusion sprang from. Fosi may have done that simply because moving magnet are typically less expensive and hence are likely to be what most people will have. The other thing the instructions don't say what input on your main amp/receiver to plug the output from the fosi into. It's just says "connect to your amp" for the record it's Line In or Aux, NOT phono. I plugged mine direct into the line in on my recorder and returned to the amp from the recorder.Lastly Packing. Several guys groused loudly about packing. Mine too was shipped in plain thin, bubble wrap-type bag. But that's fine the way the tubes are packed inside the Fosi box, you could drop the box from 5 feet(ish) over and over and not damage anything but the outside of the box.Final tip. Installing the tubes. They go in pretty tight. So once your sure you're lined up correctly don't be afraid to lean into it a bit.UPDATE MM V MC cartridge compatibility. To be clear, at first listen, THIS particular amp, SEEMS to be fine with at least one particular MC cartg, my Denon DL-103 MC-type cart. No distortion, no hum. Output level perfect, (best on the middle gain setting of 3). But after applying a more critical "ear" I'm not convinced I'm getting all of the clarity and or fullness this legendary DL-103 is famous for. NOW there are a couple possible explanations for this that don't involve this "amp v MC cartridge compatibility" issue. Age of the cartridge being first. While it's well under the life-span limit in hours played, it IS 10 years old. Also, I have never checked, let alone adjusted, the turntable vs tone-arm for level, so there's every reason to assume this (aka "VTA") setting is not optimum. I was shocked to learn how big a SOUND difference this, the angle of the stylus to the groove (VTA) can make. (follow up on that to come) What I can say for now is that the combination of this MC cart and this amp 'sounds' correct, if not "super'. and after playing it last night for about 6 or 7 hours it doesn't appear that either the amp nor the cart is being damaged by the other. If you're wondering if your MC cart will be similarly content with this amp, be advised the "Recommended Load Resistance" on my Denon DL-103 is "100 ohm or more, (except when a transformer is provided)" I believe transformer is what some MC type carts refer to a pre-amp as. The manual for the Fosi X2 doesn't give any ohm rating, load/capacitance, resistance rating number of any kind, input or output. Bottom line this could be a viable "budget option" amp for at least some, MC type carts. Since "proper" MC pre-amp/transformers, start about double what this one costs and run as much as 4 or 5 times more expensive.

To start, let’s just be clear, it is not an “audiophile” caliber phone preamp, nor is it really a tube preamp. It uses tubes as a buffer imparting a little tube “warmth” to the signal. That said, it sounds REALLY good!!! I have my AT-LP120x turntable running through it. The internal preamp in my TT was giving me fits with a ground loop issue. I would get a hum at times when my hand would get close to the tonearm, and when that would happen, if I played a record the left channel would play softer than the right channel. I’d remove the headshell and get the hum to stop, but it would always eventually come back. I isolated it to the internal preamp after trying all the usual suspects…location, cables, ground, outlet, etc. So I opted for an external preamp. I didn’t want to spend a fortune on one, and was happy with the sound I already had, but why not improve the sound quality some in the process? This fits the bill, sounds great, and fixed the problem. It also looks pretty cool in a dimly lit listening room. Mine also came with the 5654w tubes that many upgrade to already installed, so they have changed it evidently.

Absolutely a phenomenal value. Easy setup and then I left in on for a couple of days to burn in, while waiting for my new Fluance RT82 turntable to arrive. I've only listened to parts of a few albums, but the sound is remarkable so far. A few notes:1) The Fosi/Fluance combo picks up EVERY detail, including scratches on older vinyl. Very accurate and unforgiving playback.2) You will want to use two ground wires. One from the Fosi to the turntable, and another from the Fosi to your amp/receiver. The Fosi will work fine without the second ground, but if you get some hum, it might try it?3) Mine came with the recommended upgraded Riverstone USA-Made tubes! I had ordered those recommended tubes to replace the Chinese tubes that I expected to come with it. I'll just keep them for spares? I don't know if this is Fosi's new policy to ship with these better tubes, but if so, BRAVO, as it'll save you $25.Overall I'm extremely happy with this purchase. Clean, clear, analog signal, great soundstage and clarity, at a budget price. Highly recommended over some of the cheaper phono-pre-amps.

not a "real" tube preamp but sure sounds good and looks great. For the money, I would buy it again.

This Preamp gets 5 stars for me. It is being used with a vintage DP-60 Turntable in conjunction with a set of small two-way active bookshelf speakers. I find the level range between the different switch settings to be on a level that does not produce any distortion but provides enough boost to create a sound that provides a more flat level on low and just enough loudness on high that still keep distortion at bay. It works for my setup very well. It gets the 5th star for just being a very cool looking unit with the glow of the tubs and blue LED's. At some point I will stick a voltage meter or my oscilloscope to it and verify the gain, but the levels coming out of the speakers don't concern me at all.